October 31st 1949. Smog chokes London as the body of Jack Pym floats in the oily waters of the Regent’s Canal near Marylebone station. resumed a suicide, it looks a simple case, but D.I.Vignoles of the British Railways detective department suspects foul play. Pym’s wife is telling lies, and nothing is quite what it seems. As the Pyms' private lives are uncovered, darker and more deadly truths are revealed – and there are those prepared to kill to keep these secrets safe.

The story races between Marylebone and Leicester behind grimy steam engines on the Great Central line, reaching a dramatic conclusion in Southampton docks…

"Not just splendidly paced crime thrillers, not just delicious treats for all steam train enthusiasts but really vibrant social portraits of the life and mores of the immediate post war, Austerity Britain. I intend putting them in my 'Best Read of the Year' slot in the run-up to Christmas."